Most automotive media associations organize an annual test session, but many of them are a social event that happen to have cars involved. Here in the Great White North however, things are taken a little more seriously. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has been hosting their annual TestFest for decades now, with the goal of providing consumers with a valuable tool for their quest for a new car. Journalists spend 5 days testing new model cars and trucks in a variety of situations and ranking their findings along the way. At the end, the scores are tallied and category winners are announced. In the annual Canadian International Auto Show, the overall Canadian Car of the year winner is announced.
The 2009 AJAC Canadian Car of the year category winners are:
BEST NEW SMALL CAR (under $18k):
Toyota Corolla
BEST NEW SMALL CAR (over $18k):
Pontiac Vibe
BEST NEW FAMILY CAR ($22k-$30k):
Mazda6
BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (over $30k):
Volkswagen Passat CC
BEST NEW LUXURY CAR (under $50k):
Hyundai Genesis
BEST NEW LUXURY CAR (over $50k):
Audi A4
BEST NEW PRESTIGE CAR:
Mercedes-Benz CL550
Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG
BEST NEW SPORTS / PERFORMANCE CAR (under $50k):
BMW 135i Coupe
BEST NEW SPORTS / PERFORMANCE CAR (over $50k):
Lexus IS F
BEST NEW CONVERTIBLE:
Audi TTS
BEST NEW PICKUP TRUCK:
Dodge Ram
BEST NEW SUV / CUV (under $35k):
Subaru Forester
BEST NEW SUV / CUV ($35k-$60k):
Ford Flex
BEST NEW SUV / CUV (over $60k):
Mercedes-Benz M-Class BlueTEC
Photos courtesy of AJAC. For more details on the CCOTY visit AJAC
5 comments ↓
The Genesis should take the top prize. As a former Lexus owner, tired of paying premium dollar for what the Genesis was offering, I went the Hyundai route and I have to tell you I am well-pleased.
Drool… I may have to test drive the Genesis myself later this yr.
I’m with DB on this one…that’s why the Genesis got my vote at TestFest. In fact, between me and you (and now every Garage reader on the planet!), I’d like to see it win “Car of the Year”.
The vehicle is amazing, and when you think of what you get for the money, it’s hard to beat. It’s also pretty nifty on the track!
Speaking of track testing, the GT-R is an awesome vehicle, but it didn’t top the IS-F? The Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG is simply mind-blowing on the track, especially if you put the top down (Yes, that was me with the wind what’s left of my hair on the track with the stupid big grin on my face!).
The Subie STI went up against the EVO, and I spent a lot of track time with each…conclusion, the Subie’s too soft, and couldn’t come close to the EVO. That car is truly, “One wicked, mean and nasty ride”, I simply loved it
The Audi TTS is just wonderful on the track, and another car to watch out for is the VW Passat CC. Not a track machine, but value for money, it’s a lot of car!
Chevrolet Aveo owns, I don’t know where they get an idea that Toyota Corolla is better. On Corolla steering is way too light and when you in a free flow you don’t really feel a tracktion with a road, feels like you constantlly on neutrall gear.
I am not going even start about smart fortwo…
I vote Mazda 6 all the way!
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